Gasoline storage tank for filling stations



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I Z. L627? 25 @fi/W/ (1 5 7 ZZra/z/VZG Filed June 2,

Aug. 17, 1926.

A M GRIFFIN GASOLINE STORAGE TANK FOR FILLING STATIONS Patented Au UNITED STATES ALVAH M. GRIFFIN, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF 'I'O ANDREW A. KRAMER, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

GASOLINE STORAGE TANK FOR FILLING STATIONS.

Application filed June 2,

This invention relates to gasoline tanks for filling stations of that class having relatively small auxiliary tanks from which the gasoline is discharged through measuring appliances and thence through a filling hose, as with tanks of this character a continuous discharge of gasoline in excess of the capacity of the auxiliary tanks cannot occur contents of the tanks. 'to provide an appliance of very simple and relatively inexpensive construction.

in the event the operator fails to shut of the pressure on the contents of the auxiliary tanks, when the measuring a'ppiances indicate that the requisite quantity has been delivered. Tanks of this character heretofore, have had valves for admitting gasoline from the main tanks to the auxiliary tanks, which are inaccessible for quick cleanout or repair purposes, and my primary object is to provide a construction in which provision is made for the quick removal and replacement of the inlet valve and its seat, without disturbing any other part or the A further object is With these objects in View, the invention consists in certain novel and useful features of construction and combinations of parts as hereinafter described and claimed; and in order that it may be fully understood, reference is to be had to the accompanying draw-- ing, in which Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section of a liquid holding tank embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line Hlll of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section of parts similarly shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section disclosing the connection between certain air pipes and a valve controlling the same.

Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 4 but showing the valve in a difi erent position of adjustment.

In the said drawing, 1 indicates a large tank for holdingv liquid, usually gasoline, and said tank is preferably of that type employed underground at a fillin station. 3 At one end it is provided with a ling openin 2 of the usual or any preferred type, an

is also provided with venting means as 3, for maintaining atmospheric pressure within the tank. lit is furthermore provided with an opening 4, from which rises the pipe 5 to a point above the ground level, and a 1924. Serial no. 717,289.

removable cap 6 normally seals said opening by engagement with the upper end of the P p Arranged within and at the bottom of tank 1 is an auxiliary tank 7 of relatively small capacity, but sufficiently large at least,

to be able to charge the gasoline tank of a motor car. At one end the tank 7 is reduced in height as at 8 and provided with by a wrench, so that the seat can be screwed into or removed from position without dis-- turbing the tanks or their contents. A valve 13 of cup-shape, extends through the cylindrical seat and bears against the lower edge of the same and in the preferred construction, is connected by a retractile spring 1i to the stem 11, the connection holding the valve seated when not overcome by a preponderating force, and said cup valve is provided with extensions or fingers 15 for engagement with the interior wall of the seat so as to maintain the valve in operative relation or alinement with respect to the seat at all times, the fingers preferably being sufficiently long to maintain their engagement with the valve seat should the valve move downward until arrested by the bottom of the auxiliary tank. By attaching the valve to the valve seat as explained, it is obvious that the removal or replacement of the latter will not change the relation between the valve and its seat. This is a very desirable feature as an interruption in the flow of the gasoline can e quickly and easily remedied, whereas with tanks of the ordinary type, any such trouble means that the appliance will be out of service for several hours.

16 indicates a discharge pipe leading from the lower portion of the auxiliary tank 7, through the main tank and to the customary measuring appliance, not shown, from which the measured gasoline is piped into the motor car gasoline tank.

A pipe 17 leading from an air pressure supply, not shown, is connected to a T-coupling 18, connected in turn by pipes 19 and 20 to the upper portions of the tanks 7 and 1 respectively, and a three-way valve 21 con trols this connection so that air under pressure may be directed into the auxiliary tank to eii'ect discharge of gasoline therefrom, as indicated by the position of the valve in Figure 5, or the pressure pipe be closed and communication established between the upper parts of the two tanks, as indicated by the position of the valve in Figure 4.

When the pressure is applied in tank 7, gasoline is forced up through the discharge pipe to themeasuring appliance, the pressure being cut off by operation of valve 21, when the required quantity has been thus delivered. The shutting off of the valve establishes communication through the pipe-way, between the two tanks, and the excess pressure in the auxiliary tank backs up into the main tank and escapes through the venting means, and as this occurs, the hydrostatic pressure in the main tank forces valve 13 open to permit gasoline to flow from the main tank into the auxiliary tank until the gasoline attains the level in the p pe-way of the gasoline in the main tank, the valve 13 reclosing as the pressure in the two tanks becomes equalized. The auxiliary tank is then ready for a second delivery operation through the adjustment of the valve 21 to the position shown by Figure t. It will thus be seen that delivery of gasoline is effected only while the-valve 21 is adjusted to that end. and only when the level of gasoline in tank 7 is above the mouth of the discharge pipe, as the inlet valve 13 retains its seated or closed position until the pressure in tank 7 is relaxed following the closure of communication between the pipe-way and pressure pipe and incidental opening of communication between the said tank and the upper part of the main tank. It will thus be seen that failure to cut ed the air pressure to tank 7, can result only in a waste of gasoline until the supply of gasoline in tank '2 is exhausted, as no more can enter said tank until after the pressure is cut off therefrom.

From the above description it will be ap parent that l have produced a device of the character described which possesses all of the features of advantage set forth as desirable, and while I have described and claimed the preferred embodiment -of the same, lreserve the right to make all changes properly falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

ll claim:

l. A valve structure for use in a small tank enclosed within a larger outer tank which consists of a cylindrical member acting as a valve seat adapted to be secured in a wall of said inner tank, said member having an upwardly projecting stem, a cup-shaped valve fitting slidingly in the cylindrical valve seat and adapted for engagement with the lower end of the same, said valve having upwardly projecting fingers for engaging the inner side of the valve seat, and a retractile spring attached at its lower end to the valve and hooked at its upper end to said stem and normally holding the valve pressed yieldingly upward against the Valve seat.

2. A valve structure for use in a small tank enclosed within a larger tank having an opening in its upper side, an upwardly-proj ecting tube communicating with said opening,an internally threaded spud secured in a wall of said inner tank and projecting upwardly, a cylindrical valve seat open at both ends and screwed into said spud, and provided with a stem projecting upwardly into the sealed tube of the outer tank, a cupshaped valve fitting within said seat and engaging the lower end thereof and provided with fingers for maintaining alinement between the valve and seat when the former is depressed and unseated, a retractile spring connecting-the cup-shaped valve with the said stem for holding the valve seated upwardly against the valve seat with a yielding pressure, and a discharge pipe leading from the inner tank up through the outer tank. V

In witness whereof ll hereunto aflix my signature,

ALVAH GRIFFIN. 

